Marion’s Famous Lentils with Hotdogs

This is a delicious meal my German mother-in-law makes and my kids absolutely love. Lentils are a tremendous source of fiber which most Americans don’t get enough of in their daily diet.

For many years I have made this dish by following my mother-in-law’s recipe. Then one day the recipe paper got destroyed and ever since I have had to “wing” this recipe. The good news: every time is has come out just fine! So I apologize for my lack of exact measurements in this recipe. Smart rule of thumb….you can always add more ingredients, but you can’t take anything away. So start on the small side, and add as you go if you prefer stronger flavoring. Enjoy, Kate

What you will need:

1 bag of lentils
1/2 cup of flour
2-3 tablespoons of chicken bouillon
5 tablespoons of pasta sauce
1 cup of red wine
1/2 cup red wine vinegar
3 bay leaves
1/2 stick of butter
1/2 onion chopped
1 bag of egg noodles
1 package of hot dog wieners (or skip this if you want a healthy version of this recipe)

Preparation:

* Soak the lentils for several hours (or all day) in a bowl of water. This makes them soft and reduces cooking time

Boil lentils with 3 bay leaves and red wine vinegar until lentils are soft (20-45 minutes – depending if the lentils soaked during the day or not). When you drain the lentils in the colander, catch the “dirty water” in a bowl under the colander (you will use this later). Set the lentils and dirty water aside.

In a large pot, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook until onions are translucent. Then add the flour and stir rapidly until the mixture is pasty. Little by little add the dirty water (usually not all of the water is used – maybe only half) and always stir rapidly until a sauce-like consistency is made.

Now add the red wine, bouillon and pasta sauce. Taste your sauce for flavor. Sometimes I add more red wine, red wine vinegar or other ingredient for a stronger flavor. Reduce heat to low and let the flavors meld together.

Meanwhile, boil your bag of egg noodles and cut your hotdog wieners into small pieces. Add hotdogs to sauce for 5-10 minutes. Serve lentil sauce over egg noodles…and enjoy!

This meal makes yummy leftovers also!